While everyone else was focused on the Olympics, the IAC events weren't being neglected. While part of it was due to the pandemic restricting travel last year, and everyone was finally taking advantage of lifted travel restrictions, the rest was due to the well-shaped physiques of Animalians. Fortunately, there were several vaccination stations at each colonies that were offering free (or nearly free) vaccinations both for participants and/or visitors.
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One of the biggest events was the IAC Martial Arts Showcase and Competition at Heiya Island. One of the participants was actually the Indian mixed martial artist who had foiled the plane hijacking last October, and had originally intended to pick up his sister, who had been one of the girls rescued from the human trafficking rings. He was generating a lot of attention, both with his martial arts, as well as his weapon of choice for the "weapon drill" part of the Showcase.
"So what exactly is a 'gada'?" asked one of the commentators as he began his warm-up before the 'show off'.
"It looks like a cross between a mace and a mallet." said another commentator, "But what I do know is that there are a few gods in Hinduism who carry them and use them in battle, though how I don't know."
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A second event that was generating a lot of interest was the Bodybuilding Competition at Mieni Atoll, partly because Rock was doing a much better job than both he and anyone else expected in the competition. Apparently, him being a 'bald bull' enabled him to soak up some local color, which was making his muscles stand out a bit more than anticipated, as well as making him rather unique compared to other competitors.
However, the one that was making the most waves was Elena, not simply because shi was a herm. It was also clear that shi had some general experience in competition. There were already some who were either making memes or predictions that there was going to be a showdown between the two of them that would challenge almost everything about bodybuilding.
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Dino City was hosting its own version of the IAC Competitions, mainly because of the difference in size and strength between Dinotopians and Animalians. Due to the publicity that they were getting, Dino City was getting another surge in "immigrants" who were becoming Dinotopians, thereby causing another city council meeting about rezoning. While most new converts were choosing to remain either male or female, there was a small increase in requests for the herm gene, though those were on hold until the first herm Dinotopian was fully analyzed.
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The French Colony was still undecided on a new name, but they did have a few things nailed down. It was decided to use idealized/streamlined nature for an overall theme for Belles bêtes. For example, the overall color scheme would be emerald green with gold highlights, with pictures of the planned Corinthian columns, as well as the planned gambling paraphernalia (such as slot machines and roulette tables) showing this theme. Of course, with the success of the first group of conversions, a new group was being put together for casino employees. This was warranting a temporary Horizon office to handle the conversions, but fortunately the renovations of the old wine cellar for the planned Belles bêtes were proceeding as planned, while Juliet, her boyfriend Juan, and her girls were watching the IAC Games.